HomeMarine aquarium fishWrassesChameleon wrasse Chameleon wrasse (Halichoeres dispilus) Scientific name: Halichoeres dispilus G?nther, 1864 The Chameleon wrasse (Halichoeres dispilus) is a marine fish of the family Labridae. Native range: Eastern Pacific, Gulf of California to Bahi? Independencia, Peru, including the Galapagos Islands. BiologySolitary.Inhabits shallow waters, over rocky or coral reefs separated by sandy areas. Feeds on small invertebrates found in the sand. Large specimens in the Gulf of California are known to feed on small blennioid fishes. Buries itself in the sand when disturbed and at night to sleep. Marketed fresh in local markets.Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Species factsScientific nameHalichoeres dispilusFamilyLabridae (Wrasses)OrderPerciformes (Perch-like fish)ClassActinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)Maximum length25.0Depth range2–76 m (7–249 ft)EnvironmentMarine; reef-associated; depth range 2 - 76 mClimateTropicalDistributionEastern Pacific: Gulf of California to Bahi? Independencia, Peru, including the Galapagos Islands.Conservation status (IUCN)Least Concern (LC)Threat to humansHarmlessUsesFisheries: minor commercial; aquarium: commercialResilienceMedium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.) More wrassesMexican hogfishBodianus diplotaeniaHarlequin wrasseBodianus eclancheriGraphic tuskfishChoerodon graphicusSpottail corisCoris caudimaculaBluelined wrasseStethojulis albovittataSideburn wrassePteragogus pelycusSee all wrasses SourcesTaxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.Last updated 27 September 2026